Lagaan movie Analysis
As we studied in the course of anthropology, the movie lagaan depicts race, tradition, class, cultural difference and hierarchy in a very profound manner. We are shown primarily the contrast between the indians (the natives) and the British (Colonisers).
The movie itself is based on the concept of colonialism (as a subtle critique to the ideology). From reading the movie’s bio, the name Lagaan means ‘taxation’. The locals fighting British soldiers (mentioned in the excerpt of the movie) demonstrates the class war against the British (as you see in anti capitalist / imperialist revolutions or marx’s ideologies).
Coming to the movie you are introduced to the indian folklore, the music, the tradition, the village, the village women, the village children, the men of the village, and their playfulness in the grounds. The language of the native villagers, their tone, their expressions, their body gestures, their vocal gestures along with hand and body language are pretty notable. The way of showing brotherliness, comadry, love and romance are also highlighted upon.
Like the women in the movie, the main heroine Ghauri goes to the astronomer in the village to get her hands checked for a foretelling of her soon to be arriving love. It demonstrates that she is waiting for her love. She is later in the mountains worried the love which will both fulfil her family’s requirements and her own happiness.
Love is also shown in a variable tone between the two main cultures. Elizabeth proposes to bhuval in her own cultural context (a stereotypical white girl’s behavioural tone) which Bhuval is unable to understand. However when Ghauri proposes to Bhuval indirectly, Bhuval is easily get to the root of it and embrace her.
There is a romantic song played in the movie where you see the affection being expressed for Bhuval by both Ghauri and Elizabeth side by side, totally showing the contrast between the two. In Elizabeth’s fantasy Bhuval creates romance with her in a very European way (wears European dresses) and engages in a ballroom dance with Elizabeth. Whereas with Ghauir, it’s just the two playing around, running after each other, wearing their own cultural dresses and singing and dancing.
The white people are dressed in different clothing (both men and women ) in comparison with the inhabitants.
Elizabeth’s life is to stay away from any political affairs and just lay behind the curtain of her room, being groomed and grown, so that entertain the ideal man with her feminine identity and small skills
Lagaan (taxation) by the British on the Indian subjects is a pure form of colonisation. It shows the tactic used by the British with the emperor of the province to have a say in power and hold a valuable position. Their presence was so important in the province that they were an important part of the maharaja’s and the prince’s stability.
Thus, due to their importance , the British people were put above an hierarchy over the people with their secluded apartments, communities, activities e.t.c that were on a different part of the area in correspondence to the inhibitors. It was in order to highlight the difference between them and others’. The britishers’ did no doubt look at the Indians as capital to be made, products to be used, sold and manufactured (general russell’s tone and behaviour with the indians in general).
There was also that supremacy element clearly visible along the presence of the British (The Maharaja, the Indians’ bodily expressions and reactions to the britishers). The British are also shown to be separated from the natural environment and thus,objectifying it.
Also in lagaan there is also shown the method of comparative cultural comprehension for getting by. An example of this is the plethora of the story where the indians compare the English Men’s cricket to their ‘Guli Danda’. This is just to make themselves feel comfortable, that they are not dealing with something they can’t handle.
It’s later to the locals dismay that cricket is something totally different and requires someone from britishers’ to teach them a way to the game. However, the selective natives while learning the play, learn it on their own terms. A simple way of mentioning this is that they use their own eccentric physical, mental and collective faculties in learning the game (within the bounds) which are different from the British. This is exemplified by using a disabled person in the game (never in cricket matches does this take place ).
